SRINAGAR: The Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday permitted a special discussion on the recent floods that devastated parts of the Jammu division, despite having earlier rejected an adjournment motion on the same issue, citing procedural constraints.
Explaining his decision, the Speaker said Assembly rules did not allow the same adjournment motion to be reconsidered within one session. “It is not wrong that we did not allow the discussion on flood victims earlier. The rules are clear — once we reject an adjournment motion, it cannot be taken up again in the same session,” he clarified.
However, acknowledging the humanitarian urgency of the issue, the Speaker said the discussion would be permitted as an exception. “As a special case, we will allow a discussion on the floods that occurred in August, without setting any precedent,” he announced, noting that the Chief Minister had already briefed the House on the matter.
During the debate, Udhampur MLA Pawan Kumar Gupta strongly criticised the government’s relief and rehabilitation efforts, alleging that even temporary restoration works remained incomplete in many affected areas. “There is not even temporary restoration of roads. Over 600 houses have been damaged, and the compensation of one lakh rupees is grossly inadequate,” Gupta said.
He urged the administration to seek enhanced assistance from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and frame a special financial package to help affected families rebuild their homes.
Choudhary Akram also voiced concern over the lack of aid in flood-hit regions, saying people in his constituency had yet to receive any assistance due to the unavailability of funds with the district administration. “Our people have been left to fend for themselves. The government must intervene urgently,” he appealed.
